This verse was often quoted by my stepmom Kathy. One of the wisest women that I have ever known, and probably my greatest spiritual influence. Not in knowledge really, but in action. She could love anyone.
She absolutely loved to talk to people. No matter where she was, she was looking to make a friend. If you stood still long enough, I guarantee that you not only heard about her kids (essentially every kid she had frequent contact with) but you heard about how much she loved and trusted Jesus.
A leukemia survivor, Kathy was an absolute prayer warrior. That woman spoke prayers over so many people through her time here on Earth. Not only did she say them, but she did so with her whole heart. Those prayers covered people for years! Well beyond when most would consider someone a “kid”. The difference now is, those prayers come from amongst the cloud of witnesses.
Kathy’s focus was on the kids. No matter the situation. No matter your opinion. No matter anything except what is best for “that baby” (this was a term used for her “kids”, referenced above). Given her closeness to kiddos and childlike faith, it’s no wonder she got so close to Jesus.
I will be forever grateful for the relationship Kathy and my daughter had during their limited time together. Kathy and my dad gifted her a blanket amongst other items before we knew about the cancer. My kiddo still sleeps with that blanket and knows that it came from Mama-K. ❤️ As my daughter gets bigger, that blanket appears to get smaller. That’s just perspective though.
We lost Kathy on December 20, 2023 from glioblastoma. Such a cruel disease in the way that it affected our lives through her loss, but mostly how it tried to stop Kathy. The primary issue was she lost the ability to speak.
All the way to the very end though, you could feel that woman’s love. Words were simply not necessary. There is no doubt in my mind that she was praying right up until the moment she fell asleep for the last time.
I say all this for a reason. A lot of times people are critical of those who quote this verse. Claiming that it is selective and doesn’t represent the context of the verse and in how they are using it.
I would argue the opposite is true. Like so many things, it is simply a matter of perspective.
Are you living with hope? Or like today is your last day on earth? That makes a difference. I get that it could be your last day here, but is it?
You don’t know and neither do I. I do know, that unless I am terminally ill and know that God is calling me home, I am living patiently. Hurrying has never served me well.
Life and especially Faith are more like a game of chess than it is something like a frantic game of speed or slap-jack. Taking time is essential.
Prudence is acting intentionally in alignment with God’s will. Do we hit the target? Nope and never will. Did Israel ever keep one of God’s covenants? Nope. Similar to our example above.
Let’s run a checklist on this verse:
Holy scripture? Check
Same God? Check
Promise made and kept? Check
I fail to see how it isn’t completely valid as a beacon of hope for us today. A promise from God made in Holy Scripture is exactly that. A promise.
If you treat it as such it can and will lead to an incredibly hopeful disposition. I choose to trust God because of the past. His. Kathy’s. mine.
This week i wrote in my journal, “Hope for the future can always be found in hindsight. God is too big to be seen in the moment. His providence is revealed in memory over time. A rear view mirror look won’t do it. You need to stop the vehicle, get out and look around. Say a prayer. Just whatever comes to mind once the noise settles.”
If you would like, Kathy would love comments on her memory if this meant something to you. I hope you have a blessed day.
https://www.thehealingstartshere.com/m/obituaries/kathryn-gibsob/Memories
